Google Personal Information Collection

Proposed Action

A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed in Vancouver against Google, its parent company and its subsidiaries, on behalf of Canadian residents whose personal information was collected, without consent, by Google. The action is part of a coordinated national effort, with additional filings by members of our counsel group in Toronto and Montreal.

The action involves data collected by Google’s own services and through Google Ads and Google Analytics, which are installed on more than half of global websites. The action alleges Google trespasses on users’ devices by sending code to their computers, tablets, or smartphones when they visit any of these thousands of sites or services. That code allegedly forces users’ computers or smartphones to send users’ personal information to Google, including details such as their name, gender, and location, the terms they’ve typed into Google, their IP address, the device they’re using, and the site they’re visiting. This allegedly reveals sensitive personal details, such as marital and parental status, income bracket, and sexual orientation.

A copy of the Notice of Civil Claim filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia is available under Important Documents.

Proposed Class

This action is brought on behalf of members of a proposed class consisting of all Canadian residents who used the Google services from at least 2008 to the present (excluding residents of Ontario and Quebec). If you fit into this criteria, you may be eligible to participate in this proposed class action if it is certified (i.e., after the court confirms that the case may proceed as a class action). There is currently no date for the certification hearing, and this will only occur after a case management judge is appointed to oversee the action.

What Happens Next?

The first substantial step in a proposed class action is for the Court to consider whether the action can proceed as a class action, and define the class and the common issues to be determined on behalf of the class. This process is called “certification”. If the action is certified, all persons who fit the class definition will be automatically included in the class, but will have an opportunity to opt out (exclude themselves) from the proceeding. This process typically includes a notice effort.

At this time, potential class members do not need to take any action, and if the action is certified, membership in the class will be automatic subject to the right to exclude oneself. When action is required, there will be a court-approved notice process. We will, however, maintain a database of potential class members so we can provide direct notification of any required action. If you would like to be added to our database of known potential claimants, please contact us at the below address and specify that you would like to register for the Google Class Action:

CFM Lawyers LLP
#400 – 856 Homer Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2W5
Tel: (604) 689-7555
Fax:     (604) 689-7554
Email:  [email protected]

Please note that registration with us does not mean you are eligible to participate in the action, or that you are in fact participating in the action. That determination is made by the Court in the certification process, after which point eligible class members will have an opportunity to exclude themselves from the action. However, registration ensures you receive direct notice of certification and of the opportunity to exercise your right to opt out or to continue to participate in the action, and any other necessary updates.

Important Documents

• Notice of Civil Claim
• Press Release

For more information please contact Sharon Wong, Paralegal at (604) 689-7555 or by email at [email protected].

Google Personal Information Collection - Status Updates:

Google Faces Class Action in Canada - View